No. 19 Barbara Novick

Vice chairwomanBlackRock

Barbara Novick says she wears two hats at BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager. As a member of the global executive committee, she oversees all aspects of the firm’s business. And as head of government relations, she leads a group of 10 executives whose mission is to make sure investors are represented in discussions on regulatory reform.

“Our whole approach is not to resist regulation but shape it from an investor-friendly standpoint,” said the 52-year-old, who co-founded BlackRock 25 years ago with Laurence Fink and several others. They now oversee $3.9 trillion in investor assets, up 12.5% from 2011.

Ms. Novick is also a trustee of Cornell University and a board member of the UJA-Federation. She has been coaching girls’ soccer for the Westchester Youth Soccer League for 15 years.